Below are the boxes and Sam. Each box has an initial, a number, a special animal and a blank side. They will be on wheels and stored under a bench.
On our way to deliver them, we will be traveling through the South, joining a Louisiana Caravan, and headed up the southeast to the greater DC area.
In a previous blog, we explained that many Walmarts offer free overnight parking for recreational vehicles. Some casinos offer the same service. This saves money when we are just stopping for the night. Another less expensive alternative to campgrounds are the Elks Clubs who charge low rates for members. In the last three nights we have partaken of all three. We have learned to pick carefully as some free things are worth what you pay for them. The casino was full of noisy trucks parked inches apart. This did not bode well for a good night's sleep so we shifted to a better spot.
Now on with the trip. Before we left, our good friends Steve and Rita said they would be in Palm Desert when we were driving through. Since we dine together several times a month, we could not pass up the opportunity to enjoy dinner in Palm Springs. Their daughter and her family hosted us for a wonderful evening of good food and even better conversation. This set on trip off to a great start.
The next morning was so pleasant we took a detour to Joshua Tree National Park. We enjoyed being there at the right time, when the trees were in bloom.
We took a hike through Hidden Valley, a former hideout for cattle rustlers. The canyon is surrounded by extruded volcanic granite boulders that seemed dumped on the ground. This is a popular rock climbing area. We found the activity better to watch than to do.
This desert iguana was too busy basking on the rock to bother with us.
Also in bloom were the hedgehog cactus
and ocotillo
